Blow after blow: Magnitude and Chilean-bred Eccentric ruled out of the Breeders' Cup

The Dubai World Cup (G1) winner will not compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), while South America’s representative is ruled out of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Earlier, Splendora and Praying were also scratched, adding to a cascade of defections that continues to reshape the field at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a special correspondent).— The Breeders' Cup has yet to officially kick off, but the wave of disappointing news shows no sign of slowing down. With less than 24 hours remaining before the opening card, scratched entries continue to mount, severely diminishing the star power of several signature races. The most glaring late-breaking defections belong to Magnitude (Not This Time), one of the heavily fancied contenders in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), and Chilean-bred Eccentric (Ivan Denisovich), who was set to represent South America in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

The loss of Magnitude deals a crushing blow to the flagship $7-million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Conditioned by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds, the bay colt compiled a stellar 2026 campaign highlighted by landmark victories in the Dubai World Cup (G1)—where he outdueled Japan's Forever Young (Real Steel)—and the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) over Sovereignty (Into Mischief).

Following an uncharacteristic sixth-place effort in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, he had been pointed specifically toward peaking at Keeneland. His final works had left Asmussen thrilled and confident of a return to top form. Listed at 6-1 on the morning line with Flavien Prat assigned to ride from post 6, his scratch deprives the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) of one of the few horses capable of boasting head-to-head victories over the race’s two top figures.

For South American turf enthusiasts, the most painful setback is the withdrawal of Eccentric. Bred by Haras Don Alberto and currently under the care of trainer Wesley Ward, the daughter of Ivan Denisovich earned her automatic "Win and You're In" berth by capturing the Clásico Club Hípico de Santiago-Falabella (G1) over 2,000 meters back on May 31.

The mare had been based at Keeneland for the past few months, adjusting to North American training routines in preparation for this weekend. Her entry in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) under jockey Walter Rodríguez carried high hopes across Chile. With her departure, Full Serrano (Full Mast), entered in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), stands as the sole remaining South American-bred representative among the contenders who made it to the final stage.

Two additional scratches announced alongside Magnitude and Eccentric were Man's Best Friend (No Nay Never) and Nooni (Win Win Win), who will miss the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) and Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), respectively.

Earlier Thursday, news broke of the withdrawal of Splendora (Audible), who was chasing her second Breeders' Cup title after capturing the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) in 2025. The Bob Baffert trainee was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) on veterinary advice after failing to meet peak physical criteria. Her absence,combined with the earlier scratch of Scottish Lassie (McKinzie), leaves the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) field severely depleted at just seven runners.

Also scratched was Praying, trained by Robbie Medina, who was slated to contest the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) under John Velazquez. The daughter of Vekoma entered off a sharp runner-up effort in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) and looked like a live longshot in a stacked field.

These late developments build upon a long list of scratchings over the past 48 hours, forcing racing officials to reshape program cards and allowing several also-eligibles to draw into main fields.

The Breeders' Cup is on the brink of post time. While international megastars remain on the grounds, every new scratch serves as a stark reminder that before winning a championship race of this magnitude, the hardest hurdle is simply making it into the starting gate intact.